Mounting bracket

ABSTRACT

A mounting unit ( 11 ) for a attaching a working unit such as a video projector to a mounting surface which can be horizontal or vertical or at some angle intermediate the horizontal and the vertical comprising: an anchorage ( 12 ) whereby the unit can be attached to the mounting surface; a beam ( 13 ); a carrier ( 18 ) comprising in combination a holding plate ( 19 ) and a mounting plate; the carrier being adapted to provide for the attachment of a working unit to the mounting plate; a first pivot ( 20   a ) whereby a first end of the beam is pivotably attached to the anchorage to enable the beam to pivot about a first axis (a 1 ); a second pivot whereby the other end of the beam to the first end is pivotably attached to the holding plate to enable the holding plate to pivot about a second axis (a 2 ) parallel to the first axis; a third pivot ( 24 ) whereby the holding plate can pivot about a third axis perpendicular to the second axis; a fourth pivot ( 23 ) whereby the holding plate can pivot about a fourth axis (a 4 ) perpendicular to the second and third axes; the carrier including mechanism whereby the mounting plate can be rotated about an fifth axis parallel to the holding plate.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This invention relates to a mounting bracket. In particular it isconcerned with a mounting bracket whereby a relatively heavy unit can bereadily mounted to enable the unit to function in a required way with apre-determined alignment. A typical such unit is a video projectorthough the invention is not limited to a mounting unit for such aprojector.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] For the purposes of projecting a video recording or program thereare advantages to having a video projector mounted well above the headheight of a standing viewer. Typically in a hotel, conference centre orviewing room a mounting bracket at a relatively high locations providesfor a projector attached to it to display on a screen without theprojected image being interrupted by the passage of a late arrival.However the provision of a high mounting bracket can cause access andalignment problems when a projector is to be mounted by means of thebracket. In addition the bracket while allowing for the ready alignmentof an attached projector should also provide for the ready mounting anddismounting of the projector so that when the projector is not to beused for a period the projector can be readily recovered from thebracket for storage in a secure environment.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

[0003] According to a first aspect of the present invention there isprovided a mounting unit for a attaching a working unit such as a videoprojector to a mounting surface which can be horizontal or vertical orat some angle intermediate the horizontal and the vertical comprising:

[0004] an anchorage whereby the unit can be attached to the mountingsurface;

[0005] a beam;

[0006] a carrier comprising in combination a holding plate and amounting plate; the carrier being adapted to provide for the attachmentof a working unit to the mounting plate;

[0007] a first pivot whereby a first end of the beam is pivotablyattached to the anchorage to enable the beam to pivot about a firstaxis;

[0008] a second pivot whereby the other end of the beam to the first endis pivotably attached to the holding plate to enable the holding plateto pivot about a second axis parallel to the first axis;

[0009] a third pivot whereby the holding plate can pivot about a thirdaxis perpendicular to the second axis;

[0010] a fourth pivot whereby the holding plate can pivot about a fourthaxis perpendicular to the second and third axes;

[0011] the carrier including means whereby the mounting plate can berotated about an fifth axis parallel to the holding plate.

[0012] In a first preferred version of the present invention themounting plate is coupled to the holding plate by way of a bayonetconnection providing for the mounting plate to be rotatable about amounting axis defined by the holding plate from a first position wherethe mounting plate can be presented to, and engaged with, the holdingplate and a second position and a locking means whereby, at least withthe mounting plate in the second position, the mounting plate and theholding plate are locked against rotation about the mounting axis.Typically the bayonet connection is adapted so as to provide that,except when the mounting plate is in the second position, the mountingplate and the holding plate are engaged to provide for rotation of themounting plate about the mounting axis relative to the holding plate.

[0013] In a second preferred version of the present invention the beamis telescopic and variable in length to provide for maximum and minimumseparation of the first axis and the second axis.

[0014] According to a third preferred version of the present inventionthe beam is adapted to provide for a first configuration the first endof the beam acts to engage the anchorage so as to provide for twooperating positions for the mounting unit:

[0015] a first stable operating position wherein the beam is at rightangles to the anchorage; and

[0016] a second stable operating position where the beam is at apre-determined angle other than a right angle to the anchorage.

[0017] According to a second aspect of the present invention there isprovided a mounting unit according to the first aspect wherein themounting plate is engaged with a load, such as a video projector.

[0018] According to a third aspect of the present invention there isprovided a mounting unit according to the first or the second aspectwherein the anchorage is mounted on a surface selected from a groupcomprising: a horizontal surface, a vertical surface or a surface lyingbetween a horizontal surface and a vertical surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0019] An exemplary embodiment of the invention will now be describedwith reference to the accompanying drawings of a mounting bracket for avideo projector of which:

[0020]FIG. 1 is a perspective view below and one side;

[0021]FIG. 2 is a side view in a suspended configuration;

[0022]FIG. 3 is a front view in a suspended configuration;

[0023]FIG. 4 is a rear view in a suspended configuration;

[0024]FIG. 5 is a view from above;

[0025]FIG. 6 is a view from beneath in the suspended configuration of apartially dismantled bracket;

[0026]FIG. 7 is a plan view of a component of the bracket;

[0027]FIG. 8 is a perspective views of number of possible alternativecomponents to that shown in FIG. 7;

[0028]FIG. 9 is side elevation of the bracket of FIGS. 1-4 when mountedin a horizontal configuration; and

[0029]FIG. 10 is a side elevation of the bracket of FIGS. 1-4 whenmounted.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0030] The figures show in whole or in part a mounting unit 11 forattaching a video projector (not shown) to a mounting surface which canbe horizontal or vertical or at some angle intermediate the horizontaland the vertical comprising. The mounting unit 11 includes:

[0031] a rectangular anchorage plate 12 whereby the unit 11 can beattached to a mounting surface S (the surface S being shown ashorizontal in FIGS. 1-4, vertical in FIG. 9 and at an angle in FIG. 10);

[0032] a beam 13 in two telescoping parts, upper part 14 and lower part15, which are linked by clamp bolts 16 acting through slot 17 in upperpart 14;

[0033] a carrier 18 comprising in combination a holding plate 19 and amounting plate 20 (see FIGS. 7 and 8). The carrier 18 provides for thedemountable attachment of a video projector to which mounting plate 20has been previously fitted.

[0034] The mounting bracket 11 incorporates a number of pivots to enablea video projector mounted on a surface by means of the bracket 11 can bereadily and accurately aligned.

[0035] First pivot 20A serves to couple upper end 21 of upper beam part14 to the anchorage plate 12 so as to enable the beam 13 to pivot abouta first axis A1.

[0036] Holding plate 19 of carrier 18 (see FIG. 4) is incorporated inthe bracket 11 by means of a first fork 22 which is pivotably attachedto the holding plate 19 by a fourth pivot 23 to enable the first fork 22to pivot relative to the holding plate 18A about a fourth axis A4.

[0037] First fork 22 (see FIG. 2) is pivotably coupled by third pivot24, 25 to a diametrically opposed arms A, C of a four armed member 26 toenable the fork 19 to pivot about a third axis A3.

[0038] Four armed member 26 has its remaining pair of diametricallyopposed arms B, D to enable outer end 28 of lower beam 15, to pivotabout second axis A2 relative to the four armed member 26.

[0039]FIG. 6 shows the holding plate 19 of the present embodiment, whichhas three projecting segments 30, 31, 32 spaced apart on an annularlocus with internal diameter D1 and, in the case of segments 30, 31, anexternal diameter D2.

[0040] Segment 30, 31 are arcs of annular form. Segment 32 is of aunique shape so that when the mounting plate 20 (described hereafterwith reference to FIG. 7) is presented to engage with the holding plate19. The segments 30, 31, 32 are pressed out from the main part of theholding plate 19 so that they project downwardly (as viewed in FIG. 1)and then outwardly to define outwardly facing clearance (for exampleclearance X, FIG. 1) providing for engagement with complementarycomponents on the mounting plate 20.

[0041] The segments 30, 31, 32 are spaced to leave, respectively,arctuate gaps 33, 34, 35.

[0042]FIG. 7 shows the mounting plate 20 of the present embodimenthaving a raised flat central region A and two flat side regions B. Thecentral region A has a cut out profile 36 whose periphery is ofcomplementary shape to the segments 30, 31, 32 of the holding plate 19.Cut-outs 30′, 31′ respectively correspond in shape to, but are slightlylarger than, segments 30, 31. Cut out 32′ corresponds in shape to, butis slightly larger overall than, segment 32. The cut outs 30′, 31′ 32′are spaced apart to leave three inwardly projecting tongues 25′, 26′ 27′complementary in form to the gaps 33, 34, 35 of the holding plate 19.

[0043] Internal diameter D3 of the profile 36 is slightly larger thandiameter D1 of the holding plate 19. Likewise external diameter D4 isslightly larger than the external diameter D2 of the holding plate. Eachside region B of the mounting plate 20 is provided with two slots 29whereby the mounting plate 20 can be attached to existing mountingsockets on a given of video projector.

[0044] By providing the unique shaped cut-out 32′ it is only possible toengage the mounting plate 20 with its attached projector to the holdingplate 19 by aligning segment 32 with cut-out 32′ and then raising themounting plate so that the cut-outs 30′, 31′ 32′ pass over thecorresponding segments 30, 31, 32. The assembled projector/mountingplate 20 are then rotated about a vertical axis to cause the mountingplate 20 to rotate relative to the holding plate 19 so causing thesegments 21, 22, 23 to fill the clearance X between the segments 30, 31,32 and the holding plate 19.

[0045] Once the mounting plate 20/video projector are mounted on themounting plate 20 is clamped by bolts Y (FIGS. 4 and 5) to the holdingplate 19. Thereafter any necessary changes are readily made to align theprojector to provide for the desired image alignment on a screen byadjusting the appropriate clamp bolts. By clearly defining axis A1 to A4and providing separate clamping means in relation to each axis theprojector can be readily aligned.

[0046] This arrangement of segments 30, 31, 32 and tongues 25′, 26′, 27′serves to provide for the ready and positive engagement of a projectorwith the bracket 11 under conditions of inconvenient access for a personundertaking the mounting. For example the person may be having to use astep ladder to reach the lower end of the bracket 11 while supportingthe not inconsiderable weight of a projector-attached to its mountingplate 20. The subsequent offering up of the mounting plate 20 and theprojector can involve manipulation of the assembly at or above headlevel. The ability of the mounting plate 20 to align readily with arequired initial alignment of the holding plate 19 provides anadditional convenience to the user.

[0047]FIG. 8 shows a range of alternative mounting plates which enablemost commercially available models of video projectors to be attached tothe mounting bracket 11. All four items are provided with profile Pidentical with profile 28 referred to in relation to FIG. 7 so that theyengage the holding plate corresponding to plate 19 as described earlier.The difference between the brackets lies in their overall size and thetype and geometry of the required mounting means (typically holes orapertures).

Industrial Applicability

[0048] The present invention is concerned with a mounting bracketproviding a convenient, safe and versatile way of securing a heavy andexpensive unit such as a video projector to a supporting surface. Thebracket provides a secure mounting enabling the unit to be accuratelyaligned and from which the unit can be readily removed if required. Itis particularly concerned with the provision of a mounting bracket towhich the unit can be readily attached by, and without undue hazard to,an individual.

1. A mounting unit for a attaching a working unit such as a videoprojector to a mounting surface which can be horizontal or vertical orat some angle intermediate the horizontal and the vertical characterisedby: an anchorage whereby the unit can be attached to the mountingsurface; a beam; a carrier comprising in combination a holding plate anda mounting plate; the carrier being adapted to provide for theattachment of a working unit to the mounting plate; a first pivotwhereby a first end of the beam is pivotably attached to the anchorageto enable the beam to pivot about a first axis; a second pivot wherebythe other end of the beam to the first end is pivotably attached to theholding plate to enable the holding plate to pivot about a second axisparallel to the first axis; a third pivot whereby the holding plate canpivot about a third axis perpendicular to the second axis; a fourthpivot whereby the holding plate can pivot about a fourth axisperpendicular to the second and third axes; the carrier including meanswhereby the mounting plate can be rotated about an fifth axis parallelto the holding plate.
 2. A mounting unit as claimed in claim 1characterised in that the mounting plate is coupled to the holding plateby way of a bayonet connection providing for the mounting plate to berotatable about a mounting axis defined by the holding plate from afirst position where the mounting plate can be presented to, and engagedwith, the holding plate and a second position and a locking meanswhereby, at least with the mounting plate in the second position, themounting plate and the holding plate are locked against rotation aboutthe mounting axis.
 3. A mounting unit as claimed in claim 2characterised in that the bayonet connection is adapted so as to providethat, except when the mounting plate is in the second position, themounting plate and the holding plate are engaged to provide for rotationof the mounting plate about the mounting axis relative to the holdingplate.
 4. A mounting unit as claimed in any preceding claimcharacterised in that the beam is telescopic and variable in length toprovide for maximum and minimum separation of the first axis and thesecond axis.
 5. A mounting unit as claimed in any preceding claimcharacterised by a first configuration the first end of the beam acts toengage the anchorage so as to provide for two operating positions forthe mounting unit: a first stable operating position wherein the beam isat right angles to the anchorage; and a second stable operating positionwhere the beam is at a predetermined angle other than a right angle tothe anchorage.
 6. A mounting unit as claimed in any preceding claimcharacterised in that the when the mounting plate in engaged with aload, such as a video projector.
 7. A mounting unit as claimed in anypreceding claim characterised in that the anchorage is mounted on asurface selected from: a horizontal surface, a vertical surface or asurface lying between a horizontal surface and a vertical surface.